JenniferInOhio

Oh yes. I've had that feeling many times - the 3 or 4 big slow thumps. My doctor says that I've been monitored more than any other person in the US. Lol. The monitor has caught pvc's, pac's, runs of svt, and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. I'm on a low dose beta blocker and my doctor is not concerned.

I feel like this when my blood pressure is low.

Hey everyone, just wanted to thank you for the tips. I made sure I was hydrated the day before the flight and the day of. I also wore my compression stockings. I also prayed. A lot. I was totally fine!! No tachycardia, no dizziness, no arrhythmia! It's great to have God on my side and know that He is ultimately in control.

I had undiagnosed POTS at the time of both pregnancies. I delivered both vaginally with epidurals. 38 hours of labor (from start to finish) with the first, 18 hours with the second. I didn't have any POTSy complications. At the start of both labors, I did experience heart palpitations.

Just recently, I had a cold for 3 days. My POTS symptoms were fine during the cold, but about 2 days after the cold symptoms went away, I had a vasovagal response, and was woozy on and off for about 3 weeks. It had to be the virus.

I'm pretty functional, but I don't consider myself cured. My EP says I have "mild POTS."

Stairs get my heart rate up like nothing else. I don't actively avoid them if it is only a flight or two. However, I don't choose them over an elevator, if available either

I think it's normal in the POTS world. I have them all the time (all different kinds) and have been monitored "more than anyone in the US" according to my EP.

Sleepbree,

If it is any comfort to you, my doctor (and everywhere I've read) indicates that nsvt in structurally sound heart is not life-threatening.

A new doctor can be scary, but sounds like it is what you need right now. I thought ablation was contraindicated in POTS patients because it can make pots symptoms worse. That might be the cause of some of your symptoms.

Your beta blocker dosage sounds like a lot! No wonder you are exhausted. I take 10 mg of nadolol per day. I also still have an increase of heart rate by 20-30 bpm, but it lowers the overall heart rate in all positions.

I think you are right to go with your gut. I would insist on a recheck of the fluid.

Yes vtach feels floppy and after a second or two I feel my vision dim like I'm going to faint. But then my rhythm fixes itself and I'm fine. If my vtach lasted more than 10 seconds, I'd likely faint.

SVT feels very fast - no flip flops or palpitations. It's like a switch that is switched on going from say, 80 bpm to 160 in a second then keeps on at 160 for a while until it terminates like a switch is turned off.

I've had cavities filled with no problems.

I have palpitations. Pvc's, Pac's, SVT, and non-sustained v-tach. What you describe kind of sounds like my SVT episodes. It's almost like a switch turning it on quickly and then off - no gradual increase or decrease of heart rate. I also have feelings in my throat at times.

Hi Jen! I too, have non sustained V-tach and POTS. I had an ablation done in Nov but still get palpitations. I understand how scary it can be. I recently flew from Ohio to San Francisco (6+ hrs) and I did okay. Lots of water, compression stockings, and I made sure to eat the salty peanuts on the flight. I stretched my legs out under the seat in front of me and made circles with my feet to keep the blood flow going. On the way home I was having a bit of chest pain upon accent, but it seems chest pains are a bit of a norm for me since the ablation (I had fluid collect around my heart after). All in all I did really well, make sure to pack your bags properly to get through security efficiently, allow for as much spare time as possible so you don't have to rush and stress out. I did find lifting two bags in the overhead to be a struggle (I have trouble bending down and lifting things above my head) so maybe ask your travel companion or a fellow passenger to help you. in retrospect, I should have boarded when they called for people with health conditions, but I am still in denial about all of this and very stubborn.

I would be the same way! So, are your palpitations just "regular" now after the ablation or are you still having episodes of nsvt?

I seem to have developed an anxiety when doing something unfamilar or new just because I never know how my body is going to react. The only predictability is unpredictabilty, if that makes any sense. It's not easy. I'm glad you'll be surrounded with close family as that will be one less thing you'll have to worry about. My trip is only for one day. A day packed full of meetings so I'm hoping I can keep it together.

I'm sure you know all the tricks to svt trade.. imerssing your face in ice cold water, "gagging" or coughing super hard, holding your breath and bearing down (vasovagal maneuvers).. all sound like tons of fun which do very little for me but when it's happening I would try almsot anything. Even though your episodes are ony ranging around 1 minute, it doesnt take the severity of the fear out of them I'm sure. They're terrifying and immensely difficult to "work through". I can deal with a rather high heart rate but the svt takes it to a whole other level. How high are you ranging from/to?

Best of luck to you,

Sarah

Sarah, the funny thing is when it is happening, I forget all maneuvers to use - I just panic. I do have a natural instinct to cough while it's happening though.

When I go into SVT, it ranges from 150 to 190. At least I think. I wear my heart monitor sometimes, so it has caught it before, but I don't know how accurate that is. My heart rate is regulary 60-70's at rest, 90-100's walking around and 115-120s working/housework.

I think my anxiety issues are separate from my POTS issues. I can tell the difference between them. However, I do believe that POTS exaggerates my anxiety and keeps me in a panic state for longer.

Hi Jennifer. How can you tell the difference?

Hmmm. Well, I'll try to explain.

My anxiety is usually related to health issues which I think is very normal for us - POTS can be scary sometimes. For example, I might wake up in the middle of the night with weird chest pain or a numb feeling somewhere and start worrying about a heart attack or other serious things - my mind takes off and then I feel panic - heart racing, tingling hands and feet, clamminess. This is definitely panic or anxiety for me. However, I believe that having POTS exacerbates my symptoms and makes my "fight or flight" response "take off and go," faster than someone without POTS. I also think that it is harder for us to get control of the panic/anxiety because of POTS.

When I'm feeling POTSy, I can also have an elevated heart rate like with the anxiety, but I don't feel tingly or clammy. Now, A LOT of times, when I have an elevated heart rate due to just POTSiness, I can worry about WHY I'm having the elevated heart rate, and work myself up into a panic about it.

Does that make sense? LOL.

I do have what I would characterize as functional POTS thank the Lord above so my symptoms of anxiety and POTS are quite possibly different from others.

Jennifer,

Hope you are doing well today. I have a meeting in Chicago in about a month that I've been panicing about. Going to be around co-workers and everything so it won't be all that easy to disguise the phyisical and emotional anxiety that comes about. I havent been on a plane in years and years.

I think it's a good plan to get "tanked up" with some fluids. However, for the svt have you been on verapamil (calan)? I rarely get episides of it any longer since starting it and was on the ablation road.. how is it going on your end?

I think I was on verapamil when I was first diagnosed. It's a calcium channel blocker, right? I couldn't get off the couch with it. Super sluggish. I'm actually pretty well functioning with POTS with a low dose beta blocker. We went to the mall today to buy stuff for our trip - we were there for about 3 hours with no ill effects. My SVT episodes are really short - under a minute, but still scary when they happen because they do happen frequently. I also have non-sustained v-tach, but it happens only rarely. I think that is why my Dr. is not concerned. I'm going to make an appointment to talk to him about my trip, but I know he will say to quit worrying!!

How long will your trip be? I will be with family so I won't have to act "normal." I would also be extra nervous if I was flying with non-family just because they probably wouldn't "get" the anxiety.

I think flying does pose some physiological stresses (dehydration, less oxygen, lack of movement). From what I have always understood, the biggest health threat from flying is the risk of blood clots, which is one reason heart attacks can occur in-flight (in people who are at risk for them). I think you should ask your doctor/specialist--for peace of mind.

Oh, I'm definitely asking him. But I know he will say, "You'll be fine. Don't worry." I thought maybe someone here could give me the real scoop

Hey all,

Just wondering if flying affects your heart rhythm if you have arrhythmia? Specifically SVT? Do you do anything to help counter the issue like take more medication or just deal with it? I'm not talking about pvc's or palpitations but more serious arrhythmia.

Thanks for any insight. I'm actually more nervous about rhythm issues than Potsy symptoms. I have a 2.5 hour flight at the end of this month, and I am prepared with stockings and hydration!

I've heard that it is more likely for a younger person to recover, or if not recover, manage symptoms to functional at a normal level. I've had POTS since I was 18, but functioned pretty well (I just thought I was out of shape) for most of my life. If I suddenly woke up and didn't have POTS anymore, I think the first thing I would do is run around the block!

I think my anxiety issues are separate from my POTS issues. I can tell the difference between them. However, I do believe that POTS exaggerates my anxiety and keeps me in a panic state for longer.

That is wonderful news! What a relief it must be!

I think we've all felt this way at one point or another in our POTS journey. Your Dr. would be able to tell if you had heart failure. An echo of your heart would seal the deal on diagnosis. I've read several places that POTS can affect people similar to a person with heart failure so it makes sense that you feel that way. But most likely not the case.

I have POTS and SVT. I haven't had an ablation because my SVT started after POTS and it is contraindicated.

I was told not to wear compression stockings while lying down.

I've taken nadolol for almost 3 years. I take 5 mg in the morning and 5 mg in the evening. I wonder if they are starting you on 20 mg because of your dosage with the toprol? Maybe your Dr didn't want to drop you too low too soon?